4:1 My son, rob not the poor man of his livelihood; force not the eyes of the needy to turn away.
4:2 A hungry man grieve not, a needy man anger not;
4:3 Do not exasperate the downtrodden; delay not to give to the needy.
4:4 A beggar in distress do not reject; avert not your face from the poor.
4:5 From the needy turn not your eyes, give no man reason to curse you;
4:6 For if in the bitterness of his soul he curse you, his Creator will hear his prayer.
4:7 Endear yourself to the assembly; before a ruler bow your head.
4:8 Give a hearing to the poor man, and return his greeting with courtesy;
4:9 Deliver the oppressed from the hand of the oppressor; let not justice be repugnant to you.
4:10 To the fatherless be as a father, and help their mother as a husband would; Thus will you be like a son to the Most High, and he will be more tender to you than a mother.
4:11 Wisdom instructs her children and admonishes those who seek her.
4:12 He who loves her loves life; those who seek her out win her favor.
4:13 He who holds her fast inherits glory; wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings.
4:14 Those who serve her serve the Holy One; those who love her the LORD loves.
4:15 He who obeys her judges nations; he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers.
4:16 If one trusts her, he will possess her; his descendants too will inherit her.
4:17 She walks with him as a stranger, and at first she puts him to the test; Fear and dread she brings upon him and tries him with her discipline; With her precepts she puts him to the proof, until his heart is fully with her.
4:18 Then she comes back to bring him happiness and reveal her secrets to him.
4:19 But if he fails her, she will abandon him and deliver him into the hands of despoilers.
4:20 Use your time well; guard yourself from evil, and bring upon yourself no shame.
4:21 There is a sense of shame laden with guilt, and a shame that merits honor and respect.
4:22 Show no favoritism to your own discredit; let no one intimidate you to your own downfall.
4:23 Refrain not from speaking at the proper time, and hide not away your wisdom;
4:24 For it is through speech that wisdom becomes known, and knowledge through the tongue’s rejoinder.
4:25 Never gainsay the truth, and struggle not against the rushing stream.
4:26 Be not ashamed to acknowledge your guilt, but of your ignorance rather be ashamed.
4:27 Do not abase yourself before an impious man, nor refuse to do so before rulers.
4:28 Even to the death fight for truth, and the LORD your God will battle for you.
4:29 Be not surly in your speech, nor lazy and slack in your deeds.
4:30 Be not a lion at home, nor sly and suspicious at work.
4:31 Let not your hand be open to receive and clenched when it is time to give.